THE PRESIDENT: Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are
delighted to see all of you, especially the men and women we honor
today, and their families. We're glad you're here.

This afternoon I have the privilege of presenting our nation's
highest civil award. The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes
achievement in public service, in science and education, entertainment,
the arts, athletics, business and other fields. As the citations will
indicate, each of the men and women has led of life of accomplishment
and distinction, and holds special respect among the people of the
United States.

One of this year's recipients is a world leader who is known,
respected and loved as perhaps no other figure of our time. Three
weeks ago it was my honor to visit Vatican City and present the Medal
of Freedom to Pope John Paul II. We're honored that His Holiness is
represented here today by Archbishop Montalvo. We're also pleased that
the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal McCarrick, is with us.

For nearly 26 years as supreme pontiff of the Roman Catholic
Church, he has been one of the great voices for good in the world --
guiding the souls of the faithful and sometimes guiding history,
itself. From his days as a young seminarian to this very hour, he's
been a foe of tyranny, a minister of true authority, and a person of
great wisdom and kindness and moral courage. The world is far
different and far better because this son of Poland has occupied the
chair of Saint Peter.

The Medal of Freedom was also presented last December to Robert L.
Bartley, shortly before his death at age 66. I had the honor of
informing Robert L. Bartley that he had won this great award by
telephone. Bob Bartley was a man of great intellect and conviction.
And with those qualities, for more than 30 years, he led the editorial
staff of the Wall Street Journal. The goodness of his values, the
clarity of his thinking and the high quality of his writing earned him
the Pulitzer Prize in 1980. His belief in free markets, and his faith
in the wisdom of democracy is still seen in the writings of the many
journalists Bob Bartley encouraged. They and the nation are grateful
for his life's work, and we are honored to have Bob's wife, Edith, with
us today.

The life of Dr. Vartan Gregorian began in Iran, in a town called
Tabriz. As a boy, he loved books, and was blessed with a wonderful
grandmother who encouraged him and inspires him still. His great gift
has been to share his love of learning with others, as President of
Brown University, President of the New York Public Library, and now as
President of the Carnegie Corporation. Along the way, Dr. Gregorian
has won the loyal friendship of many students and colleagues, and he
has received more than 50 honorary degrees. And today the nation
honors one of our most respected academic leaders.

Ambassador Ron Lauder and Leonard Lauder are here to receive the
Medal of Freedom on behalf of their mother, who passed away in April.
The posthumous award to Estee Lauder recognizes the great American
success story that began with an immigrant family in Queens, New York.
For this woman, born in 1908, rising to the top of the business world
was not easy. Estee Lauder built a global cosmetic company, she said,
"not by dreaming, or hoping for it, but by working for it." Hers
became one of the most famous American names in the world. And with
this medal, America proudly remembers the great achievements of Estee
Lauder.

Rita Moreno has also found success in New York, having found her
way there from Puerto Rico. She first performed on stage as a young
girl, and was on Broadway by age 13. Rita is remembered by many for
her Oscar-winning performance in West Side Story. But the years since
have been filled with memorable performances by a lady of incredible
talent and style, energy and beauty. To a collection that includes the
Oscar, the Tony, the Emmy and the Grammy, Rita Moreno may now add the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, and we give this honor with affection
and appreciation.

On a January night in 1888, a group of men, meeting not far from
the White House, founded the National Geographic Society. In the years
since, the society has flourished, thanks, in large part, to a family
named Grosvenor. Gilbert Melville Grosvenor is the fifth generation of
his family to hold the title, President of the Society. As chairman of
the Society's board of trustees, and earlier as president, he has
maintained the excellent standards and reputation that we rightly
associate with the National Geographic.

Gil has also furthered the Society's mission of protecting land and
wildlife, teaching young people about geography and instilling in
readers a respect for other cultures and nations of the world. We
honor him today for his good stewardship of a great American
institution.

Walter Wriston is unable to attend this afternoon, but is
represented here by his daughter, Catherine, and his brother-in-law,
Robert. More than 60 years ago, Walter Wriston worked here in
Washington at the Department of State, Mr. Secretary. After serving
his country further as an Army officer in World War II, he set out to
find work in New York.

Plenty of jobs were available in banking, but Walter said banking
was at the top of his list of everything dull. (Laughter.) In the
decades that followed, while rising to the leadership of Citibank and
Citicorp, Walter Wriston made the industry a lot more interesting,
ushering in an era of unprecedented innovation and improved service.
He saw the trends of the future, and he started a few of his own --
first among them, electronic banking.

We honor him today for his great foresight, his principled
corporate leadership, and we thank him for all he has done to extend
the opportunities of our free enterprise system.

Norm Podhoretz ranks among the most prominent American editors of
the 20th century. And he's doing pretty well in the 21st.
(Laughter.) Never a man to tailor his opinions to please others, Mr.
Podhoretz has always written and spoken with directness and honesty.
Sometimes speaking the truth has carried a cost. Yet, over the years,
he has only gained in stature among his fellow writers and thinkers.
Today we pay tribute to this fierce intellectual man and his fine
writing and his great love for our country.

The story is told that on election night, 1962, President John F.
Kennedy heard that his home state had just elected a black man as
attorney general. The President said, "That's the biggest news in the
country." Bigger news would follow in the career of Edward William
Brooke III.

Within four years, this decorated Army veteran would become the
first African American ever elected by popular vote to the United
States Senate. And when he came to the Senate, he was coming home. He
was the youngest child of Helen and Edward Brooke, Jr. He was raised
right here in Washington. And here he learned the values that led him
to a lifetime of service.

Twenty-five years after leaving office, Senator Brooke is
remembered for the high intellect and superb judgment he brought to the
Senate. And across our nation, the Senator is still admired as an
historic figure, a man of honor, and one of America's most
distinguished public servants.

Dr. Arnall Patz will always be known as the man who has given to
uncounted men, women and children the gift of sight. As a 32 year old
ophthalmologist, Dr. Patz was the first to understand that the practice
of giving high levels of oxygen to premature infants was causing an
epidemic of blindness in babies. For more than a half-century his name
has been the gold standard in the field of researching the causes and
treatment of eye disease. One of the first awards Dr. Patz received
was presented many years ago by Helen Keller. Today, with the Medal of
Freedom, this great healer receives the thanks of our entire nation.

Millions of Americans reserve a special respect for Gordon B.
Hinckley, who still works every day as President of the Mormon Church,
and who, on this very day, turns 94 years old. Mr. Hinckley is the
grandson of Mormon pioneers and has given devoted service to his church
since 1935. He's always shown the heart of a servant, and the gifts of
a leader. Through his discipline and faithfulness, he has proven a
worthy successor to the many fine leaders before him. His church has
given him its highest position of trust, and today this wise and
patriotic man receives his country's highest civil honor.

Doris Day could not be with us this morning, but this beautiful
lady is a special presence in American life. I called her yesterday
and told her she would be missed. I told her to watch C-SPAN --
(laughter) -- just in case I said something nice about her.
(Laughter.) Even when Harry Truman lived in the White House, all of
America knew the name of the girl who sang, "Sentimental Journey" over
the radio.

In the years since, she has kept her fans and shown the breadth of
her talent in television and the movies. She starred on screen with
leading men from Jimmy Stewart to Ronald Reagan, from Rock Hudson to
James Garner. It was a good day for America when Doris Marianne von
Kappelhoff of Evanston, Ohio decided to become an entertainer. It was
a good day for our fellow creatures when she gave her good heart to the
cause of animal welfare. Doris Day is one of the greats, and America
will always love its sweetheart.

For all who love the game of golf, and for those who love to see it
played, there has never been a sight in the game quite like Arnold
Palmer walking down the fairway toward the 18th green. The announcer
Vin Scully once said, "In a sport that was high society, Arnold Palmer
made it 'High Noon.'" (Laughter.) For more than 50 years, over
thousands of miles of fairway, and in 92 professional championships,
Arnold has given his all, playing with style and a daring that changed
the game of golf. He drew millions of fans, and every big crowd we see
at a golf tournament today started with Arnie's Army. The father who
had taught him to play golf at Latrobe Country Club would be very proud
today of Arnold Daniel Palmer.

And now, I ask the military aide to read the Medal of Freedom
Citations.

(The citations are read.)

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you again for coming. Congratulations.
Laura and I now ask you to join us at a reception to honor these
remarkable Americans, and, of course, His Holy Father. God bless you
all. (Applause.)